Chapter 12, The Socialist Roots of Nazism Summary and Analysis

The thinking that laid the basis for fascism took many years to develop. It grew out of Marxism and socialism. Hayek traces it to the end of World War I and the defeat of Germany. Many socialists like Werner Sombart were early supporters of Marx and socialism and made the switch easily to National Socialism. Plenge is another Marxian scholar of the time who describes World War I as a conflict between two opposing principles. Plenge had hoped the German people would acquiesce to the Constitution and voluntarily submit to control. Plenge also denies the role of individual freedom in socialism and feels the state should be above individual freedom. Many other academics in the U.S. and England also called for planning. Another great influence on the German people and...